Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

[ailevation]

I would just to say, to whoever cares(anime fans) that Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence the movie was released today September 17, 2004! Go see it in theatres! But it's select, so good luck.

 

[Brian Damage]

Ikerous... you're not doing any mind-altering substances, are you? The last few posts I've seen from you have been... worrying.

That aside, I rather liked the original GitS (what an acronym)... I'll keep an eye out for the sequel...

 

[ailevation]

:naughty: Which part of cali you from?

 

[hype.db]

So.. back on topic?
I could drive 4 hours to the nearest theater that's showing it, but I think I'll just wait until it's um.. ummm.. "released" :angel:

 

[Kyorisu]

/Rechecks Torrent listings.

Just kidding.

 

[Logic]

I can't wait for this... (god knows when it'll hit Australia though..) I'm a big fan of Mamoru Oshii, and certainly GiTS, so I'm looking forward to this almost as much as HL2

Incidentally, anyone who's into both Ghost in the Shell and HL2 should check out the neotokyo mod.. It's current form is just a small multiplayer mod for UT2K4 (we're about to release a new\final UT2K4 version), but the plan has always been, and still is, to make a HL2 mod. Look out for that! ( www.neotokyohq.com )

Sorry about the shameless advertising, but hey, at least it's on-topic

 

[Sui]

i just watched the trailer (by coincidence this happened to be the forst thread i saw after doing so) and i must say this film looks great. the only trouble is i havent seen the first one... whats the first abour, and is it worth renting/ buying?

 

[Recoil]

is it worth renting/ buying?

Yes, definately.

 

[NeLi]

I didn't like the first one.

 

[Logic]

The first one (and most likely the second one too, for the same reasons) isn't for everyone. Yes, it does have cool action, but if that's what you're looking for you probably won't enjoy it. It's a very philosophical movie, and unless you're paying close attention, most of the ideas presented will probably just slip past without you noticing, which will likely leave you unimpressed with the film. I liked it on the first viewing, but it wasn't until I'd seen it quite a few times that the film really struck home and became one of my personal favorites.

Basically, if you're looking for a solid action movie, look elsewhere, but if you find movies with the themes and pacing of, say, Blade Runner appealing, you can't afford to miss GiTS (and probably even more so, the sequel).

 

[NeLi]

I like the series though

 

[Logic]

I like the series though

The series is something I'm yet to check out, but I think I'll wait for a complete collection box set.. much cheaper than the individual sets overall. I'd imagine the series would be quite different in tone to the movies, since Oshii didn't write or direct any of it. The movies are very much his own, with his distinctive pacing, mood, atmosphere and philosophy. I think the story differs in the series, too. From what I've read, the series basically assumes the events in the first movie never took place.

 

[NeLi]

The series is something I'm yet to check out, but I think I'll wait for a complete collection box set.. much cheaper than the individual sets overall. I'd imagine the series would be quite different in tone to the movies, since Oshii didn't write or direct any of it. The movies are very much his own, with his distinctive pacing, mood, atmosphere and philosophy. I think the story differs in the series, too. From what I've read, the series basically assumes the events in the first movie never took place.

True. The series plays out more like individual stories based around events that the main characters have to Fix, james bond style. (infiltrate terrorist base, secure hostages, protect V.I.P etc etc)

Although a storyline develops later into the series..

 

[KagePrototype]

I'd love to see this. I hope it doesn't rush things like in the first film and takes the time needed to develop things (the first was way to short).

 

[galoot3000]

im going to see it, im currently torrenting the first also

 

[SAJ]

Imho , the series is much better(ie, more satisfiying)than the movie.
The movie has only one central concept, which is hammered into the viewer with as much finesse as a one-legged clog dancer.
The series is able to explore the themes of the book in smaller episodes which are viewable in any order(in my experience so far) and with the same production values as the film.
The "g.i.t.s" story does not originate from the film`s director , but rather from the writer and illustrator(artist) known as Msamune Shirow(not his real name) , so the series does not require his(Oshii`s) involvement in order to be true to the GITS concept.

Having said that ,I am awaiting the arrival of innocence with mounting enthusiasm, it does look truly spectacular.

 

[NeLi]

Oh. So G.I.T.S originated from a book?

 

[Logic]

The "g.i.t.s" story does not originate from the film`s director , but rather from the writer and illustrator(artist) known as Msamune Shirow(not his real name) , so the series does not require his(Oshii`s) involvement in order to be true to the GITS concept.

Don't worry, I'm not suggesting it does. If anything the series is likely to be closer to Shirow's manga than the films, in which Oshii has basically manipulated the story and characters to present his own ideas. Also, I do agree that Oshii's films can sometimes lack subtlety in how points are made, but keep in mind that horrible english dubbing doesn't help. Many dialogues (or monologues), such as the discussion on the boat, were butchered by the english dub, which really makes it seem like the conversation serves no purpose but to tell you what Oshii (rather than the characters) is thinking. Unless the dub is great, watching in the original language with subtitles is generally always better.

All that aside, I'm still a big fan of Oshii's work, and I've found that with repeated viewings, his films provoke (for me at least) thoughts and ideas that you may not have considered the last time you saw it.

 

[^Ben]

Yeh one thing i hated about the english dub.

They all had monotone voices which did'nt convey the situation properly.

 

[SAJ]

@Neli : Yes it all starts with a graphic novel, from which the film used some scenes and stories and the series , others(or so it appears to me).
@Logic :Yes , I`d agree with what you just said, for me the film was abit of a disappointment due to a very bare adaptation of selected scenes from the original. Also the standard anime failings: -overdone slow-motion sentimentality, overused ponderous flash back and dream sequences ,etc.

Ive not known any more of his (Oshii`s)work, so perhaps you could point me in the direction of the rest? I would be interested to see some more of what he does.

On another note, does anyone else feel that the heroine belongs in some kind of manga-porn flick?
I mean , come on, you have a battle trained cyborg feminist who could rip your lungs out using a pair of tweezers without breaking a sweat............and she wanders around in a pair of tiny knickers and pink basque??!!!
Its the kind of creepy school-girl porn look that is all too prevalent in japanese culture, and serves to diminish any credibility that the GITS stories aspire to.

Imho , of course.

 

[neva]

Im gonna see it now.
Im waiting for Appleseed like a crazy hoe

 

[Logic]

Yes , I`d agree with what you just said, for me the film was abit of a disappointment due to a very bare adaptation of selected scenes from the original. Also the standard anime failings: -overdone slow-motion sentimentality, overused ponderous flash back and dream sequences ,etc.

The ponderous montages are very much a trait of Oshii's directing style, rather than of anime in general, which becomes fairly apparent when you look at more of his films.. Among other things, he directed the first two Patlabor movies, wrote the screenplay for Jin Roh (which incidentally is based on his own manga, he even made two live action movies set in the same universe) and recently made a live action film called Avalon. Jin Roh is a beautiful film, but it's certainly not an action movie. It can be a bit heavy handed with the metaphors too, but all in all it's a great work of art. Great music too.

I only really suggest looking into Oshii's other films if you appreciate fairly slow, contemplative movies. If you're patient with them, though, I find the experience to be rewarding.

On another note, does anyone else feel that the heroine belongs in some kind of manga-porn flick?
I mean , come on, you have a battle trained cyborg feminist who could rip your lungs out using a pair of tweezers without breaking a sweat............and she wanders around in a pair of tiny knickers and pink basque??!!!
Its the kind of creepy school-girl porn look that is all too prevalent in japanese culture, and serves to diminish any credibility that the GITS stories aspire to.

Yes, I was surprised by the manga for that reason, having seen the film first. I guess the film tried to distance itself from that, making the main character more mature and contemplative, rather than the anime-sexy-chick-with-guns stereotype.

 

[Ghost Freeman]

Innocence will be showing at a few theatres near here, so yeah, I'm gonna go see it. I was astouned by the first, and am liking the series, Stand Alone Complex.